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The following archive was created by hippie-mail 7.98617-22 on Fri Aug 21 1998 - 17:16:50 ADT
Denis Coskun (dcoskun@aw.sgi.com)
Wed, 1 Apr 1998 16:15:55 -0500
> I've mostly given up on mechanical locking devices, after seeing someone
> pick a medeco (which I previously believed to be unpickable) in about 20
> minutes.
I've also seen demonstrations at ALOA and other security conferences
where supposedly high-security locks were opened with unexpected ease.
But I wouldn't trust electronic locks too much either.
First, there's the loss of privacy because electronic locks can keep
track of your comings and goings. And you can't be sure it doesn't even
if you are told otherwise.
Second, there's the risk of backdoors. One popular electronic safe
lock has a secret combination built into every unit. This is for the
benefit of the locksmith or safemen so they can handle a lockout without
drilling. The secret combination is different for each unit and is
changeable, but it's not supposed to be revealed to the customer (end-user).
(This is no urban legend. I can dig up all the details on manufacturer,
model, etc., if anyone cares.) It's much harder to design a non-obvious
backdoor into a mechanical lock.
> A strong cryptographic lock system using ibuttons and an
> appropriate door locking mechanism would be substantially more secure,
> robust, reliable, and auditable. And *cheaper*.
I don't agree that an electronic lock can be made cheaper than an equally
robust mechanical lock. A top grade mechanical deadbolt (Medeco, Abloy,
DOM, etc.) costs $100-200 (US), not including installation. Any
self-contained electronic lock that isn't junk costs $500+. This is partly
due to lower volumes, but mostly because any electronic lock needs
something more than human muscle action to control the bolt. It needs an
extra expensive part such as a solenoid, electromagnet, motor, or electric
strike. Even if you provide the muscle power to turn the handle, there has
to be something to bind and unbind the bolt.
Denis Coskun
The following archive was created by hippie-mail 7.98617-22 on Fri Aug 21 1998 - 17:16:50 ADT